President Putin Told President Trump Negotiations With Ukraine Useful

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump on Wednesday that the second round of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were beneficial despite Kyiv's efforts to destabilize it by launching an attack Putin deemed terrorism, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.

Speaking to reporters after the two country leaders spoke by telephone for more than an hour, Ushakov said Ukraine's attack on bridges and other civilian infrastructure was an attempt to thwart negotiations.

"It is emphasized that Ukraine is trying to destabilize these negotiations by conducting, on direct orders from the Kyiv regime, a deliberate attack on civilian targets against peaceful civilians," Ushakov told reporters.

"Kyiv's regime has basically slumped into a terrorist organization. The Russian side has not given up on provocations. Let me emphasize that our president explained in detail the contents of the talks and that these talks are entirely beneficial," he continued.

The memorandum outlining the peace plan was exchanged and will be analyzed, Ushakov said, "and we hope that after that both parties will be able to continue their talks."

He also said the issue of a possible meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had not been raised at this stage.

However, talks with Ukraine may have been carried out although Moscow denounced terrorist acts because "all of them are essential to achieving some sort of settlement."

Ushakov said President Trump "lives carefully" President Putin's description of events in Ukraine.

"I think it is very useful for Trump to hear our assessment of what happened," he said.

The two presidents, he said, described their exchange as "positive and very productive. Both President Trump and our president confirmed their readiness to stay in touch."

In addition to the war in Ukraine, Ushakov said the two leaders also discussed other international issues, particularly the Middle East conflict and how Russia could help deal with Iran and its nuclear program.

Regarding Iran, Ushakov said the United States believed Russia could play an important role in helping to overcome difficulties related to Tehran's nuclear program.

"President Donald Trump believes the Russian aid is possible and important and he will be grateful if Russia can help in the right way by cooperating with the Iranian side," he said.

The two presidents, he said, also discussed the Middle East and tensions between India and Pakistan.